Discover Season Three of Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!
Rating: 8 out of 10
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Starring: Egor Gubarev, Valentina Lyapina, Yuri Borisov, Nikita Pavlenko, Yevgeny Tkachek, Viktor Sukhorukov, and more.
The third season of the beloved series “Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!” marks a much-anticipated return to the lives of adolescents in the 1990s. Set during the summer of 1996, the characters have aged two years, facing fresh challenges and trials that come with the transition into adulthood.
The Maturation of Characters: A New Chapter
While the primary characters remain familiar, their circumstances have evolved significantly over these two years:
- Sanka (Egor Gubarev) has graduated high school and is now peddling cassette tapes at a kiosk. His life is taking a new turn as he dives into romantic relationships with a new girlfriend.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have become parents. In a bid to support his family, Vovka finds himself entangled in shady ventures.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roschin), typically the quirky one, is now on a mission for physical perfection.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to town with her fiancé, surprising her friends and disrupting their dynamics.
Meanwhile, Sanka's parents face their own dramas: his mother is imprisoned for financial misdeeds, while his father clings to the hope that their friend Vitalik (Artur Beshchastny) can salvage their situation, as he always walks the fine line of legality.
Intricate Criminal Plotlines
The writers unveil the criminal underbelly of Tula from a fresh perspective. While many of the significant players in the criminal game perished during the previous season, intriguing new characters emerge, and some previously presumed deceased return to shake things up.
The resurgence of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitik (Nikita Pavlenko) creates a mixed bag of emotions; their return feels more credible this time, adding layers to the narrative yet remaining a dramatic twist. As always, the adolescents find themselves unwittingly ensnared in the vortex of crime, caught up in events that are beyond their control.
Soundtrack — The Soul of the Series
Music once again plays a pivotal role, elevating the series' atmosphere and enriching the narrative. The soundtrack features:
- Chart-topping hits from the 90s that transport viewers back to that colorful era.
- Music from Mujus, echoing the zeitgeist with its anxious undertones.
- The album “Morskaya” by the group “Mumiy Troll,” which, intriguingly, aligns with the show’s timeline despite being released in reality afterward.
This musical accompaniment deepens the emotional resonance of the plot, mirroring the climate of uncertainty and transformation that characterized the 90s.
Dynamics and Suspense: What to Expect from Season Three
While the initial episodes of the third season might feel slower compared to their predecessors, this is merely an illusion. The tension begins to build with every scene, swiftly returning to the series' trademark rapid pace.
Writers skillfully tread the line between absurdity and realism, drawing viewers to root for the characters despite their numerous flaws and errors. Will the series manage to maintain its suspense right through to the finale? Or are we in for another whirlwind of dizzying events?
Finale: Why You Should Tune In
The third season of “Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!” continues to shine as one of the most striking examples of nostalgic filmmaking centered around the 90s. It incorporates elements such as:
- Vivid characters that viewers have come to love for their authenticity and charisma.
- An atmosphere of the era, expressed through meticulous set designs, period-appropriate music, and fashion choices.
- A riveting plot that keeps the audience on edge, effortlessly weaving in lightheartedness with tension.
This season underscores the essence of the characters' experiences—“few lived, yet much was felt.” It comes highly recommended for those yearning to revisit the 90s or merely enjoy quality Russian television.